Things to do in Nimman, Chiang Mai’s Trendy Area

Nimmanhaemin (or Nimman) is a popular and trendy area in Chiang Mai along with the old town. This is a vibrant and cosmopolitan area that is known for its youth atmosphere, relaxing nightlife scene, hipster cafes, restaurants, shopping malls, and co-working places.

In this article, We will be looking at some factors about Nimmanhaemin, including its location, how to get to, things to do, and some best places to stay.

Nimmanhaemin Road, also called Nimman, attracts lots of young people, creatives, digital nomads, and expats seeking a contemporary Thai experience.

Nimmanhaemin Location Explained

Nimmanhaemin is a cool neighborhood in Chiang Mai, located about 1.5km from the west gate of the old town. It is also close to Chiang Mai University and Doi Suthep area.

The neighborhood is centered around Nimmanhaemin Road. It is a 1.3 km long road stretching from Doi Suthep Road to Highway 1004 (Huay Kaew Rd). There are many small alleys, called sois in Thai, branching off both sides of the main road. You can find many tourist amenities from Nimman Soi 1 to Soi 17.

How to get to Nimmanhaemin?

You can easily get to Nimmanhaemin by taxi, Grab, and songthaews. It costs around 50 baht from Chiang Mai Old Town to Nimman and 100 baht from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 2 to Nimman by Grab Taxi.

I found that using rideshare services such as Grab, Bolt, and InDrive are easier than using tuk tuks and songthaews. You don’t have to negotiate the price. Please note that the price of these services fluctuates depending on traffic conditions.

How to Get Around Nimmanhaemin?

Once you are in the neighborhood, you can explore all the area on foot. It is a small area with most restaurants, cafes, and shops running along the 1.3km long main road. If you are tired of walking, you can use a Grab Bike to quickly reach the next destination.

Traffic in the Nimmanhaemin area often gets jammed, especially in peak hours such as late afternoon. If you stay in Nimmanhaemin and need to get to the bus station, train station, or airport, be sure to allow plenty of extra time, as traffic can be congested and you might miss your bus, train, or flight.

If you want more details of getting to and around Chiang Mai in general, you can check out: How to get to Chiang Mai & Get Around.

Best things to do in Nimmanhaemin

There are plenty of things to do and see in Nimmanhaemin, including cafe hopping, shopping, food hunting, enjoy the relaxing nightlife, or explore the vibrant art scene.

Café Culture and Coffee Shops

Chiang Mai has a vibrant coffee scene and Nimmanhaemin is the hub of cafe culture in Chiang Mai. You can find some of the best coffee in Chiang Mai in Nimman.

The neighborhood is home to many trendy and hipster cafes. Some famous cafes in Nimman include Ristr8to Ristr8to Original on Soi 3, Librarista, or Graph at One Nimman.

Shopping and Lifestyle

Nimmanhaemin is home to two modern shopping malls, Maya and Nimman One. These two malls are located within a few minutes walking distance apart. Maya is a typical shopping mall white Nimman One is more arty with a flea market outside.

They are perfect places to shop for fashion, tech, and enjoy food and drinks. Nimman One hosts the White Market on Monday, Friday, and weekends. It is a lively place to buy local crafts, eat street food, and watch live shows.

In addition to these two shopping centers, you can find many trendy vintage clothing shops off Nimman Road. You can find high-quality dresses, bags, shoes from all over the world including Japan, Korea, Europe, and America.

Dining and Nightlife

Nimmanhaemin has a wide range of restaurants serving both Thai dishes and international cuisines. It also has lots of trendy bars and clubs that offer a more relaxing atmosphere compared to the hustle and bustle of Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.

Art and Culture

If you love art, the area is home to several art galleries and museums to explore. You can have a look at the Chiang Mai University Art Museum, Lanna Traditional House Museum, and MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum. They have exhibitions showing Thai art.

Things to do near Nimmanhaemin

Wat Suan Dok

This large temple is located on Suthep Road, just at the southern end of Nimmanhaemin Road. The temple is home to a 48-meter-high bell-shaped chedi built in Sri Lankan style, and many other beautiful halls. The temple is open every day and costs 20 baht entrance fee if you want to go inside the temple.

Chiang Mai Zoo

If you are traveling with kids, you can take them to Chiang Mai Zoo, located very close to Nimmanhaemin. You can rent golf carts or take the zoo tram to explore the zoo. Kids can see a Giant Panda House, a large aquarium, and a Nakornping Bird Park.

The Monk’s Trail

If you like hiking, I recommend taking the hike on the monk’s trail, which is located just 2.5km from Nimmanhaemin. You can easily take a Grab taxi or Bike to reach the trailhead near Chiang Mai university to hike.

The trail takes you to the serene Wat Pha Lat temple, and the hike is very peaceful in the middle of the dense forest. The first half of the trail is quite easy, and if you are up for a challgent with a more steep incline, you can continue the second half of the trail to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

I can check the details of my hike on How to Hike monk’s trail to Wat Pha Lat and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

Wat Ched Yod

If you love exploring the temple, the 15th century Wat Ched Yod is worth visiting. It is located just 1km north of Nimmanhaemin, and is easily accessible by Grab and tuk tuk.

It is a lesser-known temple with a calming ground and less crowded than other temples. It is free to explore, which is a bonus for budget conscious travelers.

Wat Lok Moli

Chiang Mai is packed with hundreds of temples and Wat Lok Moli is one of the beautiful temples in the ancient Lana capital. This temple is located north of the old town, just 1.5km from Nimmanhaemin. You can get to the temple by using taxi, Grab, or local songthaew.

This is another serene temple built in the 14th century. It is a good place to walk around and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere away from the crowds. The temple is open daily and has free entrance.

Best Places to stay in Nimmanhaemin?

You can read more detail at this article: Where to Stay in Nimmanhaemin.

In general, Nimman is home to many hotels, hostels, long-term apartments, and condo rentals. You can easily find hotels on the main road and side streets. Like all parts of Thailand, make sure to book at least a couple of weeks in advance if you travel in the high season.

If you are backpackers or traveling on a budget, you can consider staying in ALEXA Hostel. I had a good time staying at this hotel. It is in a very convenient location, just a step away from One Nimman, and the main road with many facilities such as 7-Eleven, restaurants, cafes, and all kinds of shops.

If you have a better budget or are traveling with family, you can take a look at the Eastin Tan Hotel. It is centrally located in between two famous malls, Nimman One and Maya. Their Three Bedroom Duplex Penthouse can accommodate up to 8 people.